Herbal & Natural Remedies
~ Lactation ~
The following are herbs to help encourage, increase and sustain milk flow: Simple teas or infusions of Comfrey, Raspberry Leaf, Alfalfa, or Red Clover. Rotate each week to derive unique benefits of each.
Apricots, Asparagus, Green Beans, Carrots, Sweet Potatoes, Peas, Pecans & all leafy greens such as Beet Greens, Parsley, Watercress & Dandelion Leaves are also considered helpful. It has also been long known that Brewer's Yeast & Hops (alone or in beer) works wonders. Relaxes Mom too!!
~ Upset Tummy & Colic ~
Try steeping half a cup of Peppermint Tea for 10 minutes. Give baby a few drops on the tongue.
Try adding aromatic seeds such as Fennel, Dill, Caraway, Anise, Cumin or Corinder to Mom's diet to prevent & relieve colic. Drink a cup of seed tea as you settle down to nurse; the antispasmodic and carminative effects pass readily into your breastmilk.
~ Cradle Cap ~
Apply a high quality Jojoba Oil or other vegetable oil & leave it on overnight. Shampoo out the next morning with a good herbal shampoo. Repeat as often as necessary.
~ Crying or restlessness ~
Just before bedtime, rub Lobelia Extract down the baby's spine. Also give a few drops orally. Try a few droppers full of Catnip or Chamomile tea. Mom should have some tea as well to help her relax.
Rub Lavender oil onto your neck; as you hold your baby, he/she will be comforted and soothed by the aroma. You will be as well!
~Diaper Rash ~
Frequent diaper changes is the best trick. Don't let the "dry" feel of disposable fool you; the urine is still touching their skin. Rinsing baby's bum with warm water frequently is also very helpful. Soap is harsh and is seldom necessary on the newborn. Try Yellow Doc Tea and Aloe Vera Gel directly on the rash. Comfrey Root ointment is also very helpful. Comfrey helps to quickly regenerate tissues.
~ Meconium clean up ~
For the first few days postpartum while the baby is still passing meconium, coat his bum with olive or Jojoba oil for easy removal of meconium at the next diaper change.
For more ideas on Natural Healing, two of my favorites are: "Herbal for the Childbearing Year" by Susan Weed, and "The Herbal Lady's Notebook" by Venus C. Andrecht.
Maureen Jackson, AAHCC
Nature's Sunshine Herbal Products
(408) 629-6861